120129-car-logoBest Logo. Aeronne Paul Coronel of Benguet State University, with his winning design for the 'Save Balili River, Count Me In! Logo design contest of the Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC) during the awarding program cum Kapihan media forum at the Benguet State University, Thursday. The handing of cash prize and certificate of recognition were La Trinidad Mayor Greg Abalos and Raffy Tallocoy of the Baguio CityMayor's Office. (Photo By Lito Dar/PIA-CAR)

Norma Bunaton of the Center for Health Development said the kits were distributed to trained BHWs of the municipalities of Tanudan, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Lubuagan, Rizal, and Tabuk City.

Bunaton said malaria could be detected within 15 minutes by the use of the gadget even without undergoing laboratory tests.

“With the absence of medical technologists in the barangays, trained barangay health workers could now detect a person positive of malaria using the equipment then be given the right corresponding medicine,” she said.

Bunaton said patient positive of vivax, falciparum and mix infection on vivax and falciparum are given medicines provided by Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., a non-government organization partner of government against malaria.

She said providing malaria test kits to health frontliners in the barangays is part of the “tutok gamutan” since the disease is prevalent in the province.

Reports have shown that malaria incidence in the province is within controlled level but she said there are still cases of sporadic endemic levels in border barangays between Tanudan in Kalinga and Paracelis in Mt. Province. (JDP/PAB-PIA-CAR,Kalinga)